Rural Healthcare

The availability of adequate health care is a fundamental human need and a key determinant in the overall health and well-being of any community. Rural communities in developing countries—the focus of Doctors Outreach Clinics—face daunting challenges in meeting the standards of care experienced in urban centers.

Geographic isolation, poor infrastructure, and lack of funding add to the difficulty in attracting healthcare resources and qualified medical professionals. Persons living in rural areas bear the greatest burden of disease, primarily because rural communities bear the greatest burden of poverty. For example, in the United States 25% of the population live in rural communities, yet only 11% of physicians practice in these same areas. Similar disparities are found worldwide.

The shortage of qualified health care professional in developing countries represents the single greatest obstacle to meeting health care needs.

Health care shortage in rural Mexico and elsewhere

In Mexico, half of the country's 100 million citizens are uninsured, creating disparities in access and outcomes. For example, there is a tenfold difference in infant mortality rates between the best-served and most underserved parts of the country.

Rural communities face challenges to health, such as limited education, pollution, and poor water quality. Dr. Roger Strasser has described the rural doctor as both a primary care and public health physician. The president of the European Rural and Isolated Practitioners Association describes the rural issues as being wide-ranging and "far wider than the traditional boundaries of delivering health care."

Primary Care is the most effective and efficient healthcare model in rural areas. The landmark work of Dr. Barbara Starfield demonstrates that high degrees of income inequality are associated with poor health outcomes. According to her review, studies have shown that good access to primary care can reduce some though not all of this adverse effect.